With integrity in government under the spotlight, it is good to see Labor commit to amending the Integrity Commission Amendment Bill to remove the ability of people being investigated by the Commission to claim privilege against self-incrimination.
It’s a right to silence clause the Greens have been pushing to remove for years. Having already announced our intention to make this change, we’ll happily work with Labor to make this happen.
Under intense pressure, last week the Liberals tabled their long-awaited amendments to the Integrity Commission Act 2009. There was one difference between what was tabled and their 2025 consultation draft – the removal of changes to address the absurd s 92 right to silence which allows public officers under investigation for misconduct to refuse to give information or evidence.
This was just days after the Premier confirmed two of his former ministers were being investigated by the Integrity Commission. Even with their integrity in tatters, the Liberal Government were still pushing off key reforms to the Integrity Commission. It’s disgraceful.
The Greens welcome Labor’s commitment to amend the Liberals’ bill to remove the ability for people being investigated by the Integrity Commission to claim privilege against self-incrimination. We’ll happily work with Labor to amend this bill and hope the crossbench comes on board.
This privilege allows those being investigated to stay tight-lipped on Integrity Commission questions, essentially frustrating or completely stalling investigations. It doesn’t exist in other states and territories, and it shouldn’t exist here.
The Greens look forward to working with the crossbench to make sure the Integrity Commission is fully empowered to do its vital work of investigating unethical conduct by public officers, including government ministers. It’s another example of how this minority Parliament can improve Tasmanian democracy.
